[Chicken Chaser]

I didn't shoot a deer last year. I didn't see anything I wanted to kill even though I had tags for three different units. The grandkids kept me busy and "there was no more room at the inn".

 

[nicerack]

the buck to doe ratio they envisioned when this whole thing took effect never happened. we were suppose to shoot the big mature does and let the smaller antlerless deer go that would save all the button bucks, thats why they increased the "doe" seasons and instituted HR efforts. kill more doe let the bucks grow.

never happened because PA is mostly a "brown and down" state, we love our venison to much to let a deer walk away.

you mentioned Brown and down mentality for Pa hunters. I have to agree with you. But yet the AR enthusiast on here say the majority of Pa hunters are in favor of AR. I really find that hard to believe.
The current AR law allows the horn hunters to have a chance at a big buck. Before that it was their choice to be selective and let that young buck walk but around them were the BnD boys knocking off those young Bucks ruining any for a potential big buck.
So naturally they will be in favor of AR. But imo they are the minority. That majority wants it to go away or at lease modified to one side Y buck being legal.
This is strictly my option based on hundreds guys I spoke to about it. And Saturday opener that’s
a whole new can of worms.

 

[RyanR]

What's next Bear cubs?

I have no respect for shooting cubs.

 

[nicerack]

I have no respect for shooting cubs.

please don’t shoot the Cubs. 😅

 

[bohunr]

I'd say the buck:doe ratio is way more even now. 1980s and 1990s you'd see 20 doe before you see a buck. Now I feel like it's more of a 50:50 shot at whether the deer walking by will be a buck or a doe. Time in the field has shown this as well as trail cameras and a backyard feeder.

maybe where you hunt. the two farms i hunt i have seen several groups of deer walk out in fields. 10 or more all doe or maybe a shed buck or button buck but no noticeable antlers. even driving around with good light about an hour before dark, counted over 50 deer, no noticeable bucks and this is over miles of driving, lots of different properties.

now to be fair when coyote hunting, late summer, i see a lot more bucks in velvet while looking around with the thermal scanner

 

[RegularJoe]

I don't need a trophy bear, I just want some bear meat. You can't eat the years of age on a bear, MEat, MEat, MEat. Same as shooting doe fawns or buttons, they are legal, bunch of elitists. I paid for my tag same as you...

Honestly, shoot all the bear you want, same as deer, their numbers grow, hunter numbers drop, we disagree.

 

[Valkyrie]

I tagged along with my dad since I was four years old back in the seventies then got my license in the eighties. We would see huge herds of deer. Tons!! All does. I remember sitting on a rock outcrop with my uncle when I was 13 years old. We were looking down into this laurel ridden creek bottom. Some other hunters were a ways up the bottom and we knew they’d jump deer. We counted 53 does pass through. Not a buck in them. In fact most of my hunting experiences were very similar. Lots of deer. Few bucks. And a year and a half old basket six was something to take note of!

I’m glad those days are gone.

 

[bohunr]

i've seen the same thing about 30 or so odd years ago. i still see similiar things only the deer herds that i see have 15 to 20 doe and no antlered bucks. rifle season one year saw two separate groups of deer cross a field 15 in one and 17 in the other...no bucks hunting WMU 1B

 

[WOL]

I don't need a trophy bear, I just want some bear meat. You can't eat the years of age on a bear, MEat, MEat, MEat.

I LOVE bear meat. It is my favorite game meat. I've had whitetail, mule deer pronghorn, caribou, moose and bear. Bear wins it over all of those.

 

[RegularJoe]

Cubs taste the best too.

 

[Bowsnbucks38]

you mentioned Brown and down mentality for Pa hunters. I have to agree with you. But yet the AR enthusiast on here say the majority of Pa hunters are in favor of AR. I really find that hard to believe.

I can only speak for the guys I've talked to - and heard in conversations in various places - talking about loving the bigger racks walking around since AR. I've heard, "I've shot lots of small bucks before, but I like having the chance to take a big one these days. Don't really want to shoot more little ones." (and similar comments) in a number of places.

Personally - I like the numbers of bigger, more mature bucks I've seen since AR went into effect.

 

[338/378wm]

Cubs taste the best too.

Have no desire to shoot a small cub bear of its mom just for meat because I have a tag. You can shoot them all day long if you have the opportunity and enjoy yourself. Me could never think the way you do. I will stick with ribeye

 

[RegularJoe]

Guys think shooting a year and a half old buck is ok because they have a tag and want to fill it, a year and half old cub is taboo though, why the double standard?

 

[RyanR]

Guys think shooting a year and a half old buck is ok because they have a tag and want to fill it, a year and half old cub is taboo though, why the double standard?

A year and a half old bear is not a cub. Not at all what I'm referring to. I'm talking about cub born that year in the den and killed that fall. That is a cub, less than a year old. You aren't shooting a year and half old bear (a yearling) unless you're spring bear hunting (which I did in New Brunswick at age 13, killed a yearling in the month of June.) I'm not elitist just ethical and intentionally shooting cubs and fawns is not ethical to me. I don't shoot button bucks or any running big game either.

 

[338/378wm]

Guys think shooting a year and a half old buck is ok because they have a tag and want to fill it, a year and half old cub is taboo though, why the double standard?

Would never shoot a 1.5 year old buck also. to each their own.

 

[collierdeerhunter]

Couple of years ago on a 4hour hunt last SATURDAY of buck we put a dent in the population now the bucks out number the doe this included junior and senior hunters.We drive them out if not they sit tight all day hunting them like rabbits. Still no shortage of deer my way just less areas to hunt and getting smaller…Deer are domestic creatures of habit in suburban areas…

 

[Potter Co. Joe]

I have no respect for shooting cubs.

Some of the legally harvested Bears posted and at check stations don't look any bigger than Cubs.

 

[RegularJoe]

Would never shoot a 1.5 year old buck also. to each their own.

Re-read the thread, your a sharp guy, you might understand.

 

[338/378wm]

Re-read the thread, your a sharp guy, you might understand.

Re read and you may understand. You a sharp guy

 

[RegularJoe]

For a former law enforcement officer, maybe you aren't so sharp.